Another chaotic weekend of college football created some major shifting in this week's edition of the top 25. The Blue Zone takes a look at the biggest winners and losers in this week's poll.
Three undefeated teams fall
Without quarterback Connor Cook. No. 9 Michigan State defeated No. 2 Ohio State 17-14 Saturday at The Horseshoe in a game impacted by heavy rain and wind. Quarterbacks Tyler O’Connor and Damion Terry took Cook's place and completed 8-of-16 passes for 91 yards and a score, but the Spartans did most of their damage on the ground, running for 203 yards on 51 attempts to set up Michael Geiger's game-winning field goal as time expired. Michigan State's defense limited the Buckeyes to 132 yards of total offense. With the win, the Spartans jumped up to No. 6 in the polls, while Ohio State fell to No. 8 and most likely watched their playoff chances evaporate.
Like Michigan State, No. 10 Baylor was also without its starting quarterback against No. 4 Oklahoma State, and was forced to play the second half with its third-string quarterback. After backup Jarett Sidham took several hard hits in the first half, Chris Johnson stepped under center and led the Bears to a 45-35 road win against the Cowboys. The duo of Stidham and Johnson combined for 396 yards passing and three touchdowns, and Baylor also ran for 304 yards in the win. With the loss, Oklahoma State dropped to No. 9, and could be on the outside looking in at the College Football Playoff with next weekend's showdown with No. 5 Oklahoma looming. The Bears jumped to No. 7 following the win.
No. 13 Houston also lost its quarterback in its game against Connecticut, and the Huskies handed the Cougars their first loss of the season. Houston came into the game averaging 43.5 points and 521 yards per game, but was held to just 318 total yards and 17 points in the 20-17 defeat. Kyle Postma, playing in place of an injured Greg Ward Jr., threw for 190 yards and a touchdown under center for Houston, but Connecticut wide receiver Noel Thomas had seven receptions for 108 yards and two touchdowns as the Huskies became bowl-eligible for the first time since 2010. Houston fell to No. 21 in the poll.
Big day in the SEC
No. 25 Ole Miss jumped out to a 24-0 lead against Louisiana State and never looked back, defeating the Tigers 38-17. Louisiana State suffered its third straight loss and was penalized 13 times for 95 yards and committed three turnovers. The Rebels took advantage, with Chad Kelly accounting for 361 yards of total offense to go along with four touchdowns. The Tigers have been outscored 99-47 during their current three-game skid, which cost Louisiana State its spot in the poll. The Rebels jumped up to No. 19.
No. 8 Florida survived an upset bid by Florida Atlantic to win their 10th game of the year 20-14, though it took an overtime touchdown pass from Gator quarterback Treon Harris to Jake McGee to defeat the Owls. Florida was a 31-point favorite against an FAU team that had only won two games this season, but struggles by the offensive line and the kicking game kept the game closer than expected. Harris threw for 122 yards and two touchdowns, and the Gators as a team could only manage 123 yards on the ground—2.9 yards per rush. With the close victory, the Gators tumbled to No. 10.
Big 12 race gets crazier
With Baylor defeating Oklahoma State, No. 7 Oklahoma needed to keep up in hopes of winning the Big 12 title. They defeated No.11 TCU 30-29, stopping a two-point conversion in the final minute to stay alive in the Big 12 title and the College Football Playoff. After trailing 30-13 in the fourth quarter, TCU scored and had a chance to tie the game, but head coach Gary Patterson opted to go for the win instead. The conversion failed, and Oklahoma won the game. TCU, who was without offensive stars Trevone Boykin and Josh Doctson, is ranked 15th this week, while Oklahoma moved up to No. 5.
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